Newbery Honor, The George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, The Massachusetts Children's Book Award, and The Horn Book Fanfare Award.
Reading grades 3-5 ( )

Animals

This classic tale has well developed characters. Charlotte's Web is a heartwarming tale of a lonely pig who wanted a friend. Throughout the story Wilbur learns many lessons about life, friendship and himself. Upper elementary to middle school students will be able to relate to the characters in this story.

Charlotte's Web is a magical story of an unlikely friendship between a pig and a spider. An 8-year-old girl named Fern, and her family live on a farm. One day Fern finds out that her father is going to kill the runt piglet. She believes it is unfair that it gets killed because it is small and defenseless. Fern names the piglet Wilbur and takes care of him until he is too big, at which point they sell Wilbur to Mr. Zuckerman, who has a farm not far away. Luckily Fern is able to visit Wilbur often, but Wilbur becomes lonely. Wilbur and and Charlotte, the spider, become the best of friends and have quite the journey together. Wilbur certainly is, "Some Pig." This is a sweet story that tells of how you can find friendship in unlikely creatures. ( )

I've loved this book since I was kid. I tried reading it to my daughter when she was only three because I couldn't wait to share it with her (yeah, it was too soon and I will try again when she's five). Lately I'm really into the podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. I love HP, but I think Charlotte's Web may be an even better sacred text for me. As they say on the podcast, it has so many gifts to give.

Also, for me Charlotte's voice will always be Debbie Reynold's voice. Sorry, Julia Roberts. ( )

This is an old favorite that I re-read every so often, even though there may not be a young person around to share it with. Someone here recently mentioned there was an audio version read by the author, and of course I had to check that out. We all know the fine story of Wilbur, the runt pig, whose life was saved twice: once by an outraged little girl who wouldn't let her father kill him for being too small, and again by Charlotte A. Cavatica, a gray spider who devised an ingenious plan to prevent him from becoming Christmas ham and bacon. (Well, if you don't, you've missed out. Start with the paper book, because you really ought to have Garth Williams' illustrations in your head as you meet the gang for the first time.) On this outing, in addition to the wonderful characterizations of both people and farm animals; the simply delightful vocabu-abulary lessons; and the sensitive handling of the natural rhythms of life and death, I got to experience White's considerable talent at narration. His voice is pleasant, his inflections appropriate, and his accent a combination of George Plimpton, the Tappit brothers and Jack Nicholson. (I thought Paul Lynde nailed it as Templeton in the movie, but now I have to say I prefer Andy White's somewhat subtler, yet more menacing portrayal.) When I was trying to pin down White's accent, I got lycomayflower involved. She listened a bit, and suggested that he reminded her of one of the contemporary diarists portrayed orally in Ken Burns' Civil War documentary. AHA! I said to myself....George Templeton Strong...that's who! (Gotta love that his middle name was...ok, I didn't have to point that out.) And who provided the voice for Strong? George Plimpton. Yup. Imagine my surprise when, following the last chapter of Wilbur's story on the audio version, there came an Afterword written for the 50th anniversary edition of the book, narrated by...*drumroll*... George Plimpton. Some world.
Audio version, reviewed in 2017 ( )

8 - 12
Newbery Honor (1953)
Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (1970) ( )

Independent Reading Level - 1st- 2nd Grade
Awards-A Newbery Honor

A timeless classic that can be used for many lessons in group activities ( )

EducatingParents.org rating: Approved

I did not read this one as a child and I don't think I would have enjoyed it. So much sadness, loneliness, fear, and loss. I needed much happier stuff as a child. I would have related to hearing animals, though. :) ( )

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4-5
Awards: John Newbery Award (1953) ( )

Cute, and a bit sad, although not nearly as sad as I was expecting. I'm glad I finally read it, but it's not one I'll reread. ( )

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.

E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

perhaps a perfect book. (5 stars)

from aug 2021:
how did i never actually read this before? i'm so enjoying these middle grade books that i get to read with my kid, and this one was no exception. i loved it. this was a beautiful story, and it was written so well. i always assumed this was more a story about a girl and her pig, but it turns out i was made to relate to and appreciate a spider, something that is no small feat. the public may have been led to believe that wilbur was some pig, and sure he seemed awfully lovable, but charlotte was really some spider. what a wonderful story of friendship and standing up for/protecting your friends. and it's written so well. all of the animals and all of the people are so relatable. i loved this. (4.5 stars) ( )

I couldn't finish this book and don't understand why everyone else thinks it is so great. And also - ew?spiders! ( )

Charlotte's Web es una novela de literatura infantil escrita por el autor estadounidense E. B. White y publicada en 1952, con ilustraciones de Garth Williams. Escrito en el estilo seco y de bajo perfil de White, Charlotte's Web es considerado un clásico de la literatura infantil, agradable para adultos y niños. ( )

“Life in the barn was very good- night and day, winter and summer, spring and fall, dull days and bright days. It was the best place to be, thought Wilbur, this warm delicious cellar, with the garrulous geese, the changing seasons, the heat of the sun, the passage of swallows, the nearness of rats, the sameness of sheep, the love of spiders, the smell of manure, and the glory of everything.”

This is one of the few children's books I currently own in traditional book form and I must admit I enjoyed the feeling of crisp paper between my fingers.

While the sweet story of a pig's unlikely friendship with a spider remains a perennial classic for kids, it also is appealing to adults. I had forgotten how much science and arachnid anatomy was incorporated into the story. White also gets in a few 'digs' at us humans. “Trust me, Wilbur. People are very gullible. They'll believe anything they see in print.”

I cannot fail to mention Garth Williams adorable but mostly realistic illustrations. It would be difficult to imagine the story without the accompanying drawings.

Original date of publication: 1952
Newbery Medal Nominee ( )

This is a beautiful but super sad story about love and friendship.

I read this book way back in my elementary school days, but I wanted to re-read it as an adult to see if it held up. I also stumbled across a copy in one of my closets while I was cleaning, so it seemed natural.

I will say this is truly a classic. It has aged so well and it still fits today's society. A little pig who loves his human friend and then makes friend with a spider. Her natural life cycle goes through, and he wants to love and protect her, and her children. It's so tender, so sweet and so utterly heartbreaking. It shows the true power of friendships and love. Life can be so short, so we might as well be kind to people.

It's a well made story and I'm so glad I read it again. It truly was a real treat! I can see why school curricula pick it up. It definitely didn't get the best treatment in my learning, but it will have all of my love and respect now.

I definitely feel this is a book you should pick up once as a kid and then once as an adult. The themes stay the same but your viewpoints will change. I used to relate so much to Wilbur, but as an adult I feel so much for Charlotte.

Ah, so beautiful.

Five out of five stars. ( )

I don't often read children's literature. The last children's book I read would have been The Secret Garden, which I read before I got on Goodreads (in 2011, according to my "read" list). However, every now and again it's nice to dip into something completely different. I say all this just to give some context to the review, not because I think my reading habits are fascinating.

My recollection of reading Charlotte's Web as a child was mostly around the exquisite sadness and poignancy of the ending, and I'm pleased to say I wasn't disappointed. There's a lovely, satisfyingly sentimental tone which I can remember basking in as a child. I think when you're a child the passage of time is both exciting and sad, which if you're in a particular mood can tinge everything with a melancholy that is quite lovely. Think of bittersweet golden summer afternoons, which you know will soon make way for autumn and a return to school (even though you quite liked school).

Anyhoops, this book has that, but it's also well-written and fun. The book is quite funny at times, particularly in the scene when Wilbur is shoved in to the crate to be taken to the fair. The book is very nicely structured, too. Not much really happens, and yet there's always a sense of purpose and progress. I usually struggle to connect with books featuring talking animals, because the internal ethics usually get pretty convoluted or arbitrary - "wait, so rabbits are conscious but foxes aren't?" However, this book deals with that so well, it's easy to suspend disbelief. The animals don't just start chatting at the beginning, but are gradually allowed to say more and more. By the time Fern was able to talk to animals, I was sufficiently invested in the story that I was willing to make the imaginative leap. Plus, the ethics are not simplistic - death exists and Charlotte has to justify her role as a bringer of death. Regardless of whether Charlotte's justification is good or not, it's sufficient for the story and it doesn't feel that the reader is being asked to just throw up their hands and believe anything.

Anyway, if you only read one children's book this decade, you could do worse than this one. ( )

Un buen libro para niños. El autor claramente conoce la vida de los animales y la vida en la granja.
Y es un gran amante de ambas. Es un libro que da estos detalles como si nada y los encaja perfectamente en la historia. Una historia simple pero con mucho incertidumbre para los niños, con todo tipo de emociones. Quiza la edad para leerlo es 8 años o asi.

( )

Re-read of a classic. It's still as good as I remember, although I thought it was longer than this. A tale of true friendship that never gets old. Everyone should read this. ( )

Beautifully written story about a pig named Wilbur and his friends. His life is less than ordinary: he is twice rescued from death, shares meals with a rat, wins a ribbon at the county fair, and cares for a spider egg sac. ( )

Reading Level: 8-11
Awards:1953 Newbery Medal -- Children's (Honor Book)

Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-5
Awards: A Newbery Honor Award Winner ( )